The Patriot Act Extension: The Scandal In Plain Sight

Last night, President Obama signed an extension of the Patriot Act into law. And yet President Obama wasn't actually there to do it.
Magic, you say? A sign that hidden forces are in fact running the U.S. government?
Well, no. The president used an autopen--a machine devised to assist celebrities and lawmakers in generating mass facsimiles of their actual signatures. The president resorted to its use in this case since he was traveling in Europe, and the provisions of the Patriot Act would have otherwise expired at midnight, as White House spokesman Nick Shapiro told ABC's politics blog The Note prior to the bill's passage Thursday.
"Failure to sign this legislation poses a significant risk to U.S. national security. As long as Congress approves the extension, the president will direct the use of the autopen to sign it," Shapiro said in a statement.
Some lawmakers, who knew Obama was already en route to the G-8 summit of eight major world economies, didn't appear to know about the White House plan to employ the autopen."There is no conceivable way this thing can get passed and signed by the president anyway [before the provisions expire]," Sen. Patrick Leahy (I-Vt.) told reporters before the vote, Politico reported.
The first autopen was developed in the early 19th century, and Thomas Jefferson was an early adopter--though he doesn't appear to have signed any legislation with it. The modern electronic version of the gadget found favor with Harry S Truman, who used it for signing checks and autographing books--but again, not for endorsing legislation.
Given that earlier chief executives shunned the autopen for law-signing purposes, the question naturally arises: Even though the gadget is a wonder of time-saving efficiency, can a mechanical device really serve as a stand-in for the president's legal authority under the Constitution?
Apparently so. The White House on Thursday reportedly released a 2005 opinion verifying the legality of autopen usage.
Jay Wexler, Boston University law professor and author of "The Odd Clauses: Understanding the Constitution Through Ten of Its Most Curious Provisions," told The Note yesterday that the White House Office of Legal Counsel thoroughly reviewed the constitutionality of the practice for the Bush White House in 2005. Then-Deputy Attorney General Howard C. Nielson rendered this opinion:We examine the legal understanding of the word 'sign' at the time the Constitution was drafted and ratified and during the early years of the Republic. We find that, pursuant to this understanding, a person may sign a document by directing that his signature be affixed to it by another . . . . Reading the constitutional text in light of this established legal understanding, we conclude that the President need not personally perform the physical act of affixing his signature to a bill to sign it within the meaning of Article I, Section 7 [of the Constitution.]
However, it was not stipulated whether Nielson's opinion was itself signed by an autopen--if so, that could have been the little-noticed moment when the machines finally took over.

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They obviously fooled Congress into thinking the President was unable to sign so a vote could be held. Some knew about the charade, others...did not. Notice how they can change definitions, laws, ideas, concepts, and reality itself to suit their own ends.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
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The price of the Iraq war: 10 times pre-war predictions and climbing.
The amount misplaced by Rumsfeld in a single day: 3.2 trillion the day before 9-11.
Tricking the house to vote for slavery without fear of it being signed: priceless.

"There is no conceivable way this thing can get passed and signed by the president anyway [before the provisions expire]," Sen. Patrick Leahy (I-Vt.) told reporters before the vote.

Tell me, if we are supposed to be doing all of this to fight off terrorists because they only want to destroy our freedom, then what does that make our politicians?

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

They obviously fooled Congress into thinking the President was unable to sign so a vote could be held. Some knew about the charade, others...did not. Notice how they can change definitions, laws, ideas, concepts, and reality itself to suit their own ends.

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I'll bite... using the excuse "I didn't think he could sign it" is a poor excuse for not voting your conscience and the will of your constituents. The damned thing passed the House and the Senate prior. This will certainly be on the minds of Independents come election time. I know it will be on mine.

No one was duped here and I wouldn't read into an autopen too much. I haven't physically signed anything in the US Army in over 4-5 years. Everything is digitally signed now. I'm surprised the Commander in Chief has waited this long to use a digital signature device. Anyone that claims they were "duped" can only use that excuse this one time. POTUS uses as digital signature now and you had better vote and participate accordingly.

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: [...] as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

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"As a friend says, always reach first for the obvious answer in a puzzle. If you hear hoof-beats, think horses, not zebras."

I haven't physically signed anything in the US Army in over 4-5 years. Everything is digitally signed now.

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And your job isn't limited directly by the US Constitution (you know, that document they don't teach you guys much about). Particularly Article I, Section 7 as has been "interpreted" by the all-knowing and wise bureaucracy.

I'm surprised the Commander in Chief has waited this long to use a digital signature device. Anyone that claims they were "duped" can only use that excuse this one time. POTUS uses as digital signature now and you had better vote and participate accordingly.

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Agreed. Yet, the evidence does suggest the people were misled this time.

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"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

And your job isn't limited directly by the US Constitution (you know, that document they don't teach you guys much about). Particularly Article I, Section 7 as has been "interpreted" by the all-knowing and wise bureaucracy.

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#1 My job is directly limited by the US Constitution.

#2 I guess by your definition, the President should still be signing with a quill pen? Just because the technology changes, doesn't mean that the signature isn't any less binding.

#3 As for what I am and am not taught... I guess you are even more ignorant. Not only are you incorrect in the assertion that the US Constitution isn't taught to Soldiers, but you are speaking to a person who had personally led no less than 8 individual Socratic discussions about Constitutionality during a Civil Support Operation.

Brokor, you are looking at the result- the President's signature. We should be looking at the cause. The real issue here is the House and Senate. This never should have went before the President for signature. You really want to be heard, make this an issue in the next election.

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: [...] as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

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"As a friend says, always reach first for the obvious answer in a puzzle. If you hear hoof-beats, think horses, not zebras."

#3 As for what I am and am not taught... I guess you are even more ignorant. Not only are you incorrect in the assertion that the US Constitution isn't taught to Soldiers, but you are speaking to a person who had personally led no less than 8 individual Socratic discussions about Constitutionality during a Civil Support Operation.

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In your case, I stand corrected, but you do have a habit of playing devil's advocate all too often. My mistake is forgivable, but I am not certain the same can be said for yours.

Brokor, you are looking at the result- the President's signature. We should be looking at the cause. The real issue here is the House and Senate. This never should have went before the President for signature. You really want to be heard, make this an issue in the next election.

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Agreed, like I said before. And still, the purpose of this thread was to provide proof that trickery and deceit was employed at the top level; in politics, sometimes the representatives find it easier to jump on the bandwagon than to face the firing squad. The false premise of this bill not being signed offered some of them a reason to play it safe, and look what happened as a result. The firing squad is no longer We, the People...it is the center of power within the halls of the Potomac, and their vengeance has already been seen on more than one occasion. As Jim Trafficant, Cynthia McKinney, and even McFadden found out.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

Not in the manner which we are currently discussing. Article I, Section 7.

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I'm not sure what we are talking about here. What exactly was unconstitutional?
The last I checked, the Patriot Act extension passed Senate subcommittee the first week of May. Around the 3rd week of May, the Senate voted to end debate and voted to approve the extension. It was then sent to the House where it was approved 250-153. The President then had 10 days to approve or veto. He approved right at the deadline. That is exactly how the process has gone for some 200 years. If you fundamentally disagree with the PA, that is a different discussion.

Its not like there was too much of a surprise here. Us Monkeys have had several discussions as this has gone forward over the last few weeks. Any politician that says they didn't think the POTUS could sign it is only kidding themselves. Why else would it even make the floor last minute?

As for Article I, Section 7 and the autopen, I think this kind of sums the legal opinion:

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

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It's about approval, not how he signs... no matter how underhanded it may seem.

In your case, I stand corrected, but you do have a habit of playing devil's advocate all too often. My mistake is forgivable, but I am not certain the same can be said for yours.

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If everyone on this forum just swung with the pendulum, we would be no different than the sheeple you constantly elevate yourself above in every single rant you post.

What "mistake" are you speaking of? You just agreed with my theme. Besides, forgiveness is in the heart of the one that gives it (what are we in couple's therapy?). I don't exactly appreciate people assuming that they know what I do and don't know.

"Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: [...] as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

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"As a friend says, always reach first for the obvious answer in a puzzle. If you hear hoof-beats, think horses, not zebras."

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's the open secret that nobody in government wants to talk about: That cherished presidential signature that's tucked away in a scrapbook or framed for all to see might never have passed under the president's hand.
For decades, presidents of both parties have let an autopen do some of the heavy lifting when it comes to scrawling their signatures. The machine was recently put to use signing a bill into law, apparently a first.

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Apparently a first. Well folks, it's apparently a bill which is not constitutionally valid either...but we won't let that little detail stop them.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

Apparently a first. Well folks, it's apparently a bill which is not constitutionally valid either...but we won't let that little detail stop them.

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It would seem that the auto pen is the 20th century technology equivalent to the much older technolgy of the signet ring / (emblem) seal for document authentication.

The Patriot Act has done more to limit the liberty of American citizens, than Osama Bin Laden could have hoped to have achieved on his own account....Osama's brilliance was in creating the necessary environment to impel G.W Bush jnr towards its drafting and enactment.

Rules are for the guidance of the wise, and the blind obedience of fools. - unsourced

To deny your oppressor's, or your own humanity is to descend into barbarism. - V. Chelloveck

Survival is a battle for the mind...mainly one's own. - V. Chelloveck

A beautiful idea founded on faulty reasoning is like a turd wrapped in gold foil, tinsel and glitter. Neither are wholesome if swollowed whole! - V. Chelloveck

What is a religion, but a cult with a larger following and a veneer of respectability. - V.C.

George Bush didnt need Bin Ladin or anyone else to be a globalist sell out. Hes a Trilateralist to his stinking core.

I remember Trafficant he was in agreement with Ross Perot on the trade issues. If he makes any more noise they will kill him. Its the same with Perot. He is quiet as a mouse to keep his grand kids alive. KF